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The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has announced that Ian Funnell has been appointed as the organisation鈥檚 new Chair, succeeding Sir Andrew Mathews, whose second term as Chair ends on 25 January 2022.

Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng MP, said:

The National Nuclear Laboratory plays a key role in the UK鈥檚 nuclear industry, as well as offering global leadership. It provides the technical knowledge and capability to ensure the country鈥檚 civil nuclear energy programmes are delivered safely and in a cost-effective way.

I am delighted that Ian Funnell has been appointed to this vital role. Ian is ideally suited to provide the leadership to build the NNL鈥檚 capabilities and deliver on its mission.

I would also like to thank Sir Andrew Mathews for his 8 years of service to NNL and all the work he has done during his tenure to transform NNL into the organisation it is today.

Ian Funnell said:

I am honoured to accept this role. I have been fortunate to work in some very innovative companies in the UK and internationally, in sectors such as energy, automation, engineering and digital.

I will use that experience to support NNL鈥檚 work as it deals with some of the world鈥檚 most complex challenges. It is an organisation with a clear vision and strong strategy. I relish the chance to take its mission forward.

Sir Andrew Mathews said:

It has been both a great privilege and a joy to be the Chair of the NNL for the last 6 years and to have spent nearly 8 years on the board. I am delighted that I leave the business in such safe hands, and wish Ian well as he helps to take forward NNL鈥檚 new and exciting strategy; harnessing Nuclear Science to Benefit Society with a focus on clean energy, medical and health, environmental restoration and security. I will miss working with such a strong team and a hugely talented group of people and wish them every success in the future.

Paul Howarth, NNL CEO, said:

I鈥檓 delighted that Ian is joining NNL as Chair. This is a really exciting time for the organisation and I believe that Ian鈥檚 experience will be invaluable in helping NNL as it looks to fulfil its purpose. I鈥檇 also like to recognise Sir Andrew鈥檚 contribution and thank him for the role he has played during his involvement with NNL over 8 years. I鈥檝e very much enjoyed working with Sir Andrew. He鈥檚 helped enormously to shape the organisation and support myself, and the whole of NNL, on this journey.

Ian Funnell is currently Chief Executive Officer for Hitachi Energy UK Limited, for the UK and Ireland businesses. Ian spent nearly 2 decades at ABB in a number of different roles, including 5 years as Chief Executive Officer of ABB UK Ltd.

Ian is also a mentor for the global high potential female talent programme and an Ambassador for the Women鈥檚 Leadership Association 鈥� indicators of his demonstrably strong commitment to sponsoring diversity and inclusion.

He has extensive experience in a non-executive capacity, and is currently Chair, CBI North West Region; Commissioner, COVID Recovery Commission; Board Member, Energy Revolution Advisory Group, Innovate UK; and Board Member, Energy Futures Lab, Imperial College.

He is a Chartered Engineer, and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

NNL is the UK鈥檚 national laboratory responsible for nuclear fission R&D and occupies a unique position in the nuclear innovation environment, taking science from inactive laboratory-scale demonstration to prototype deployment with real nuclear materials. It is the custodian of unique world-leading nuclear skills, facilities and equipment vital to the UK and aims to support policy and provide long term sustainable value for the UK in 4 Focus Areas:

• Clean Energy
• Environmental Restoration
• Health and Nuclear Medicine
• Nuclear Security and Non-Proliferation

Ian Funnell鈥檚 term is 26 January 2022 to 25 January 2025.